Improvement in earth-augers



H. w. PULSE.

EARTH-AUGER. No. 181,983; Patented Sept. 5, 1876'.

Fig.2

UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE HIBAM W. PULSE, OF WALDRON, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH-AUGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,983, datedSeptember 5, 1876; application filed March 27, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HIRAM W. PULSE, ofWaldron, Shelby county, Indiana, have invented a new and usefulPost-Hole Auger, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to improvements in those implements for boringholes in the ground which comprise a gimlet-point, a series of spiralblades, and a cylindrical retainer, all attached to a suitable stem orhandle for operating the same; and my improvements consist in means forsecuring a greater or less protrusion of the gimlet-point, in means forsecuring a greater or less diameter of the retainer, and in a peculiarform of the retainer and of the cutting-blades in relation thereto.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents, by perspective view, apost-hole auger embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a detached view ofthe gimlet-pointand sliding expander, together with one-half of theretaining-cylinder, and one of the cutting or entering blades.

The stem or shaft consists of a pair of bars, A A, united at top to across-bar or handle, B, and at bottom to two blades, 0 O, which,collectively, constitute my cylindrical retainer. The blades 0 Ooverlap, as shown, and their overlapping surfaces are feathered, asindicated, a pin, D, on the inner lap, occupying a slot, E, in the outerlap, so that, while prevented from separation in the radial direction,the two members 0 O are yet capable of being forced apart in directionof their slots. The said receiver is chamfered on the inner portions ofits upper and lower margins, as at c and 0, so as to easily cut its wayboth downward and upward in the ground. Attached either to the bars A A,as shown, or to the members 0 O, or both, are two spiral cutting orentering blades, F F, whose upper ed ges extend partly outside of thereceiver, as at f,and partly inside thereof, as at f, and whose loweredges converge in the manner indicated. Interposed between the bars A Ais the long, flat, and slotted shank G g of my gimlet H. Fitted to slideupon shank G, so as, if desired, to be forced up between the bars A A,is my wedge-formed expander I, having the series of holes 6 for thereception of a bolt, J, which is passed through holes a in the bars A A,and through the slot g of shank G. This bolt, being made to occupy anydesired hole in the expander, operates to retain the blades 0 O to theproper diameter for the hole to be dug. Still another bolt, J, traversesholes a, and the said slot 9 serves to maintain the gimlet in the properaxial position. Nuts K K secure the bolts in their places, and bind themembers A A, G, and also the member I, (when the latter is used,) firmlytogether.

I have described the preferred form of my borer; but it is-evident thatthe protrudable gimlet may be used in conjunction with a nonexpansibleretainer, or an expansible retainer with a fixed gimlet.

I claim as new and of my invention- 1. The combination of split stem AA, duplex receiver 0 O, and attached spiral blades F F with the slidableexpander I 2', upon the stem of the gimlet H.

2. The gimlet H, having the slotted shank G g, and capable of beingfixed at any desired protrusion by means of the bolts J J.

3. The cylindrical retainer 0 0, having upper and lower cutting-edges cc, for the purpose set forth.

4. The spiral entering-blades F F, whose upper portions are partlywithin and partly without the retainer, and whose lower edges convergein the manner represented.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

HIRAM W. PULSE. Witnesses:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, J OHN O. HEALY.

